November 2017 - TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Reusable Repair Checklist Tag
by director 02 May '23

02 May '23

Hey All, We just spent some time and redid the tag we use to track repairs on a bike. I'm sure your shops are similar to ours in that many mechanics of varying skill levels will work on a single bike before it's distributed back to the world for use. This make it challenging to ensure a standard of quality on any given bike leaving the shop. As we fleshed out the tag we realized that it could function loosely as a curriculum. For most mechanics, especially students we suggest starting at the top and working down the list. I've come to realize that no two mechanics will do things in the exact same way, everyone has their own style. We've been suggesting that folks do the first two items in order and then address the rest of the repairs at their discretion. Of course we couldn't put everything on a half page so we had to make compromises. You'll notice as you get closer to the bottom of the tag the categories are a little more broad and don't get into the finer details. We're working on a final check list that will include finer details like checking bearing play, tire wear, fine tune derailleurs and brakes... The final checklist won't hang on the bike but it'll be around the shop and part of our training. Stay tuned for this. We print these double sided, cut them in half and laminate them. We hang them on the handlebars and fill them out with a Sharpie. When the bike is done and gone we clean the Sharpie off with 90% rubbing alcohol and a rag. This allows us to use one tag over and over and over. We've been using these tags for about 2 weeks now and it's been awesome. Communication between mechanics is much clearer and bikes are getting done faster. It's really helped orient Earn-A-Bike students to what needs to be done next on their bike. Anyway if you think it's a good idea feel free to adapt it to your shops needs. -- Ride On! Rich Points http://communitycycles.org Executive Director (c)303-589-0597 (w)720-565-6019 Community Cycles is Boulder's only bike shop dedicated to bike commuting. Find us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/CommunityCycles

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no boys allowed zine from bikebike?
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 27 Sep '18

27 Sep '18

hey all, i'm looking to get in touch with the person who wrote/published the "no boys allowed" zine which was passed out at bikebike in san francisco. it was part of one of the oppression and gender identity issues workshops. we're looking to start a women's night here at community cycles, and i'd like to scan my copy as a pdf and email it to potential volunteers, as well as make some copies to have in the shop... if you're on the list, or if you know the person who wrote it (her name escapes me), please get in touch with me off list... thanks! josh. community cycles boulder

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Visual of What An Exchange Program Could look Like
by rob＠robertgrossmandesign.com 04 Dec '17

04 Dec '17

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bikes on display
by Edward Stewart 28 Nov '17

28 Nov '17

We at the Elyria (Ohio) Bicycle Education Center are pretty new to much of how to run a coop and shop. We appreciate the collective intelligence being shared here. We are looking for a good and inexpensive way to display bikes in our front 'sales room' without relying on kickstands to hold up the bikes (some have'em, some don't). Willing to build wood racks or whatever but have not seen anything reasonable yet. Any suggestions? -- Ed Stewart emsco514(a)gmail.com 440-365-6784 *I have an escape mechanism for stress: my bike.* <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> Virus-free. www.avast.com <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Ideas for places to Stay During an Exchange
by rob＠robertgrossmandesign.com 28 Nov '17

28 Nov '17

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Sorting parts/bike storage/safer spaces
by Anna Weier 28 Nov '17

28 Nov '17

Hey folks, I have three questions that I’m hoping to get input on: 1. Do any of you have good resources with pictures and text about what to look for when you are sorting through old parts and trying to determine what to keep and what to scrap? I am looking for something that I can use to help train volunteers as a guide for them to follow when they are going through old parts bins. 2. I am looking to build the cheapest possible medium-term bike storage that allows me to use some vertical space. I was thinking essentially just a platform that would go against a wall and bikes would be stored underneath and on top. This is for bikes we are building up now to sell in the spring so we want to pack them in and likely will take off pedals and re-orient handlebars. If anyone had a simple plan to follow it would make my life easier. 3. I’m wondering if any folks have good policies, processes or training for ensuring that your spaces are safer spaces for women, people of colour, LGBT2Q*, people with disabilities, newcomers, refugees etc. I am especially wondering how to make sure that it is easy to bring volunteers on while ensuring there is some sort of training or code of conduct to ensure that they know how to help create a safer space. Thanks folks! Anna Anna Weier UMCycle Manager University of Manitoba Students' Union Winter Kiosk Hours: Monday and Thursday, 11am – 12:30pm Volunteer and Community Stand Hours in the Warehouse: Monday 2pm – 4pm (volunteers), Thursday 1:30pm – 4pm (Supported Community Stand – everyone welcome) Please feel free to make an appointment if those times don’t work for you. tel: 204.474.8484 @MyUMSU<https://www.instagram.com/myumsu/>

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Visual of What An Exchange Program Could look Like
by rob＠robertgrossmandesign.com 20 Nov '17

20 Nov '17

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Ideas for places to Stay During an Exchange
by rob＠robertgrossmandesign.com 19 Nov '17

19 Nov '17

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Phoenix Bikes (Arlington, VA) Hiring Education Program Manager
by Phoenix Bikes 19 Nov '17

19 Nov '17

Hi Everyone, Phoenix Bikes <http://www.phoenixbikes.org/>, located in Arlington, VA, is hiring for our Education Program Manager <https://www.idealist.org/en/nonprofit-job/7f78f0ede83145cd9d740614cd2078a1-…> position. Deadline to apply is Dec. 8th and the start date is February 1st. Thanks in advance for helping spread the word! Take care and Happy Thanksgiving, Meg *Meg Rapelye, MSW* Executive Director, Phoenix Bikes 4200 S. Four Mile Run Drive <https://maps.google.com/?q=4200+S.+Four+Mile+Run+DriveArlington,+VA+22206&e…> Arlington, VA 22206 <https://maps.google.com/?q=4200+S.+Four+Mile+Run+DriveArlington,+VA+22206&e…> Bike Shop: 703-575-7762 <(703)%20575-7762> Cell: 703-350-3843 <(703)%20350-3843> Web: www.phoenixbikes.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phoenixbikesVA/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhoenixBikes Instagram: phoenix_bikes <https://www.instagram.com/phoenix_bikes/>

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Input on Tasks for Drop-In Volunteers
by Josh Bisker 18 Nov '17

18 Nov '17

Hello Pals!!!!!!!! Systems are shaping up at the Mechanical Gardens in NYC, and we're looking to develop more structure for drop-in volunteers. This includes irregular volunteers and regulars too. *What are some of the ways **you'd recommend **to do this well?* And what resources can you share? - PDFs of handouts from your shops or snapshots of things like task boards would be super helpful, as would other advice! - We want a balance of "low barrier for entry" tasks and "guidance or skill required" tasks. - We would love to hear your insights on how to frame these things to be learning and empowerment experiences instead of just "hey do this thing bye" or "hey do this thing while I hover over you." ALSO ALSO PLEASE LOOKIE: We're posing this as a question to everyone, *but* would primarily love to hear from some women/trans/femme/gender non-conforming organizers, if anyone who identifies that way is inclined to jump into the thread. Partly this is because the ThinkTank is often very male-dominated, and partly it's because in our shop, at least, cismen are way more likely to jump into / blunder through participating without structures to invite them in or help them contribute in the best way possible. For this reason, insights from non-cismen organizers would be great here. xox to all of course though :) Josh Josh Bisker 914-500-9890 New York Mechanical Gardens Bike Co-op <http://bikecoop.nyc/> 596 Acres <http://596acres.org/> Bindlestiff Family Cirkus <http://bindlestiff.org/>

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Ideas for places to Stay During an Exchange
by rob＠robertgrossmandesign.com 17 Nov '17

17 Nov '17

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Ideas for places to Stay During an Exchange
by Robert Grossman 16 Nov '17

16 Nov '17

Noah, what do you mean by mailbox? Cyclists, all great input! - community organizations - campus housing - airbnb special deal Just getting together some ideas of placesd for shops to consider approaching to arrange a place to stay for a visiting exchange. This won't go on bikecollectives.org anytime soon. Godwin has his hands full. Keep the ideas coming! How about: -YMCAS -retired community member's homes On Nov 14, 2017 6:25 PM, "Noah Chubb-Silverman" <noah(a)renobikeproject.org> wrote: > Is mailbox a correct answer? > > On Tue, Nov 14, 2017 at 4:24 PM, <cyclista(a)inventati.org> wrote: > >> I mean I guess why not use bikecollectives.org as the channel? Like a >> space/checkbox/description field/whatever set aside on every org's page? >> >> -Cyclista >> >> >> >> On 2017-11-15 00:22, cyclista(a)inventati.org wrote: >> >>> So I guess the main step here would be a channel, hopefully a >>> consistent and sustainable one, where regional CBS's could signify >>> they have ready and arranged accommodations. The second thing would be >>> a way to use that or a similar channel to announce when they are >>> soliciting an exchange. In reverse that channel could be used by >>> Directors or mechs or specialists of whatever type to announce they >>> had availability in their schedule to travel, or even advertise types >>> of info they had prepared for exchange. >>> >>> Even then we still get stuck at travel expenses. But we can tackle >>> that separately. >>> >>> -Cyclista >>> >>> >>> On 2017-11-15 00:14, cyclista(a)inventati.org wrote: >>> >>>> Speaking for myself, if I was being hosted I'd like choices. Camping >>>> in someone's backyard might be an excellent and preferable option some >>>> times of the year, while being hosted in someone's actual house might >>>> be nicer at other times or in other circumstances. >>>> >>>> I remember at the regional BikeBike! in Troy they had a huge >>>> repurposed church (which I believe was The Center For Independent >>>> media?) and they had a huge sleepover for at least fifty of us in the >>>> huge congregation chamber (it was a lot of fun). They had a huge >>>> kitchen and everything. Places like that exist in a lot of towns and >>>> are often ready to step up as hosts as well. >>>> >>>> I know Cornell here in Ithaca has small apartments withing the campus >>>> often not attached to any dormitory explicitly set aside for visiting >>>> professors and speakers. Accommodations like that are probably a good >>>> thing for all of us to start setting up ot just for this project, but >>>> for all kinds of other exchanges as well. >>>> >>>> Even a place that usually does AirBNB but which had an standing >>>> agreement with organizations to reserve the space for visiting >>>> exchangers would be effective. I think the options are fairly diverse >>>> here. >>>> >>>> -Cyclista >>>> >>>> >>>> On 2017-11-14 23:05, Robert Grossman wrote: >>>> >>>>> Hi Think Tank >>>>> >>>>> How might we house visiting our shops to help for extended periods? >>>>> >>>>> Please reply to the thread with ideas. >>>>> >>>>> Here is a start : >>>>> - volunteers with spare room >>>>> -hostels >>>>> -Catholic Ministries >>>>> -CAIN in Cincinnati >>>>> -airbnb >>>>> -camp in a backyard >>>>> >>>>> What else could go on this list? >>>>> >>>>> ____________________________________ >>>>> >>>>> The ThinkTank mailing List >>>>> >>>>> Unsubscribe from this list here: >>>>> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bi >>>>> kecollectives.org >>>>> >>>> ____________________________________ >>>> >>>> The ThinkTank mailing List >>>> >>>> Unsubscribe from this list here: >>>> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bi >>>> kecollectives.org >>>> >>> ____________________________________ >>> >>> The ThinkTank mailing List >>> >>> Unsubscribe from this list here: >>> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bi >>> kecollectives.org >>> >> ____________________________________ >> >> The ThinkTank mailing List >> >> Unsubscribe from this list here: http://lists.bikecollectives.o >> rg/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org >> >> >

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Neighborhood Bike Works is Hiring a Mechanic Programs Coordinator
by Shivon Love 16 Nov '17

16 Nov '17

Hi folks, Please spread the word that we're hiring for a Mechanic Programs Coordinator. This is a community-oriented youth work position. Start date is January 3,2018. Full job description is attached. Deadline to apply is December 8, 2017 -- -- Shivon Love Director of Youth Programs Neighborhood Bike Works <http://www.neighborhoodbikeworks.org/> (215) 386-0316 x117 *My pronouns <https://uwm.edu/lgbtrc/support/gender-pronouns/> are she/her*

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Ideas for places to Stay During an Exchange
by Robert Grossman 14 Nov '17

14 Nov '17

Hi Think Tank How might we house visiting our shops to help for extended periods? Please reply to the thread with ideas. Here is a start : - volunteers with spare room -hostels -Catholic Ministries -CAIN in Cincinnati -airbnb -camp in a backyard What else could go on this list?

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Pedagogic tools on bike mechanics
by Katy Collet 07 Nov '17

07 Nov '17

Hi everyone, Cyclo North-South is a community organization in Montréal, Quebec (Canada) that collects used bicycles in order to give access to a way of transportation for people with low income and/or marginalized, through local and international projects. In each projects, we try to reinforce bike mechanics skills of our partners and people receiving bicycles to make them more autonomous since the ressources (bike mechanics, incomes) are very limited especially in rural area. One of the issue of our partners in Africa and Latin America is that they don¹t have easily access to pedagogic tools on bike mechanics. We are currently working on gathering what already exists (local and international) regarding pedagogic tools on bike mechanics (printed or other types) in order to either share those tools to our partners either adapt them so they can be used by youths and general public that is in Togo, Ghana, Haiti, Ecuador, etc. The objective is to provide a teaching tool that includes a guide on tools, tune-ups and repairs. If you know or have access to any kind of learning tools and feel comfortable to share, please write to me at : katy(a)cyclonordsud.org Thanks, Katy Collet Coordonnatrice projets internationaux 514 843-0077 ext. 1006 1 888 843-0077 8717, 8e Avenue, Montréal, QC H1Z 2X4 cyclonordsud.org <http://www.cyclonordsud.org/> facebook.com/cyclonordsud <http://www.facebook.com/cyclonordsud>

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Shop Starter Kit
by alexander＠whitepariah.com 07 Nov '17

07 Nov '17

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ISO: Consensus Comic
by Josh Bisker 02 Nov '17

02 Nov '17

Heyyo, does anyone have a comic that about how to do consensus process? Or have a resource that you love the bestest best when it comes to explaining the How or the Why of consensus? Maybe even a document you use at your shop? I'm thinking about making a rudimentary consensus comic and could use help in the way of references to consult. Every google search result about consensus is like "here, read this long document for the next three hours," and in those documents, the "How To" steps are buried in like ten million words about guiding principles. Everyone learns differently, and that's not the best way to learn for a lot of us. A comic could help. Please send me your resources. Josh Josh Bisker 914-500-9890 New York Mechanical Gardens Bike Co-op <http://bikecoop.nyc/> 596 Acres <http://596acres.org/> Bindlestiff Family Cirkus <http://bindlestiff.org/>

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Blackstone Bicycle Works is hiring a program manager!
by J Michael Eugenio 01 Nov '17

01 Nov '17

Here at Blackstone Bicycle Works we’re looking for a program manager. If you don’t already know us, Blackstone is a community bike shop and youth program on Chicago’s south side (you can also check out our instagram <https://www.instagram.com/blackstonebikes/> to get an idea of what we do). Over the years the youth program has expanded to include after school and summer programming, gardening camp, physics classes, cooking classes, art on Fridays, a cyclocross team, shop internships, externships with other shops, college advising, career field trips, and even college scholarships. Additionally, the youth are vital to the running of the shop, learning mechanic and business skills, and earning a bike after their first 25 hours in the program. We’ve been successful enough that nearly all of our paid mechanics have come up through the program! That said, there’re lots of ways to grow and improve the business and our youth programming. We're excited to bring on a program manager to work with our current staff, volunteers, and youth on this and are thankful to any of you that can help us find someone that can take on the role. Feel free to follow up with us about the role, the program, or our hiring process! For the right person, this is a really great opportunity. The bike shop is part of a larger non profit and an even larger community space full of cyclists, journalists, artists, baristas, students, organizers, designers, social workers, and community members. Most importantly, the kids and everyone in the shop are great! I’ve attached a program description that can also be found on our website at: exp.st/ESjobs In cooperation, Michael *J. Michael Eugenio* Communications Associate experimentalstation.org 773 241-6044 @expstation: facebook <https://www.facebook.com/expstation/> / twitter <http://twitter.com/expstation> / instagram <https://www.instagram.com/expstation/>

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